Pools aim to increase the agony for Turner

By Albatross
February 13 2004

He may have been a success at Pools, but Chris Turner is finding the challenge of turning round Sheffield Wednesday a somewhat tougher task. On Saturday Hartlepool United will look to make Turner's job just that little bit harder - and stand a reasonable chance of doing it.

Wednesday were supposed to be one of the promotion favourites - a big stadium, big support, big reputation. However big debts, and a squad in need of some serious restructuring, have meant that Wednesday have failed to live up to the expectations of the pundits, and possibly also more to the point the expectations of their fans. While some were acting like big-time charlies, others knew that this season would not be easy; however, few would have predicted their current state.

With 30 games gone, Wednesday are in 17th position - ten points off the final playoff place, but just seven in front of the final relegation spot. Playoffs look a distant and remote hope, and with one or two of the teams below them showing signs of life it's entirely possible that their fans will be looking nervously over their shoulders. Most have given up hope on the playoff places, and for some reason "At least we can concentrate on the LDV" isn't a phrase that provides much comfort. Pressure is growing on Chris Turner, and although a bad result against Pools wouldn't necessarily be the end for him, he's rapidly running out of goodwill.

The key to their position is in their record at home. Just three league wins at Hillsborough, 17 goals in 15 games and the same number conceded is not a recipe for a good season. While they have only lost four at home, a lack of firepower - despite a burgeoning number of strikers - means that the players with most league goals this season remain the long-departed Shefki Kuqi and Lloyd Owusu - on loan at Reading since Christmas - with five.

The main danger to Pools looks set to come from the experienced Mark Robins, who has scored seven times (all but three in cup competitions) since arriving in December. Alongside him may well be Adam Proudlock (nine goals, but just three in the league), while Guylian Ndumbu-Nsungu - rapidly approaching cult status at Hillsborough - will probably line up in midfield.

Injuries have decimated the Wednesday squad, and that certainly hasn't helped them. The likes of Terry Cooke have missed plenty of games, and for the visit of Pools Graeme Lee and Robbie Mustoe will be missing while an injury crisis in goal means that the on-loan David Lucas is out - leaving Turner with a choice between the not fully-fit Ola Tidman, out-of favour Kevin Pressman, the untried youngster Chris Stringer and veteran Eric Nixon(41). If it gets much worse, Turner himself may have to pull on the gloves....

Recent form has been poor. A win over Peterborough on 24th January was their first home league win in eight attempts - and since then thay have been held to a draw by Wycombe; and they have lost their last two away fixtures in the league, including a 3-0 humiliation at the hands of Port Vale last weekend. With a 1-0 LDV first leg defeat in midweek, there may well be a few weary legs on view for the home side.

Pools meanwhile come into the game on a run of two wins, two draws away from home, and with enough new players in the squad to make Turner's claim that he knows our strengths and weaknesses something of a hollow one. Barron may well come back into the defence, but even so with Nelson and Robertson set to start there's half of the back four alone that Turner never managed; in midfield, Strachan and Shuker have arrived since Turner's departure, and similarly up front Robinson and Porter - both relatively recent arrivals - will battle it out for the slot alongside Eifion Williams.

Pools have no new injury worries coming into the game, and beyond an expected return to the back four for Barron at the expense of Walker, and the subsequent reorganisation, I don't expect many changes.

So will Pools increase the misery for their former boss? One thing's for sure, following our penalty win in the Carling Cup we'll go there with no fear at all. It's a game we can win, however I think that it'll end in another draw - 1-1, Eifion to continue his recent scoring run.